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Glite Dictionary
burgrave

burgrave

9.9
A noble who governs a castle or town in Germany in the Middle Ages
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : burgrave
  • During the Middle Ages, a burgrave wielded significant authority in certain German principalities.

Examples

  • The powerful burgrave presided over the defense and administration of the fortified city.

  • The title of burgrave was often hereditary, passing from one noble family member to another.

  • The burgrave ruled the castle with an iron fist.

  • Many burgraves were known for their military prowess.

  • During the Middle Ages, a burgrave wielded significant authority in certain German principalities.

  • The powerful burgrave presided over the defense and administration of the fortified city.

  • The title of burgrave was often hereditary, passing from one noble family member to another.

Synonyms

burgomaster
vsburgrave
1 9.9

A person who is the mayor of a town in countries like Germany or the Netherlands

is a noble medieval governor of a castle or surrounding territory
margrave
vsburgrave
  • Archaic
9.9

A noble who rules and defends a border region

is a town or castle governor with lower, local jurisdiction in medieval times
landgrave
vsburgrave
  • Archaic
9.9

A lord who ruled a large area in medieval Germany

is limited to governing a single town, castle, or nearby lands
palsgrave
vsburgrave
  • Archaic
9.9

A lord who ruled part of a country with nearly all power in the Middle Ages

is a local noble who governs a town or castle without sovereign powers

Surface Forms

burgrave singular
burgraves plural

Etymology

Burgrave comes from German parts burg meaning 'castle' or 'town', like the 'burg' in place names such as Pittsburgh, and grave meaning an old word for a noble or 'count'. So a burgrave was a noble who ruled and defended a town or castle.